Provençal village
Le Tholonet
At the foot of Mont Sainte-Victoire, the village of Cézanne.
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Mont Sainte-Victoire, Le Tholonet embodies the very essence of inland Provence. Immortalised by the brush of Paul Cézanne, this village of great character reveals golden landscapes of vineyards, pine woods and century-old bastides.
The avenue of plane trees leading to the Château du Tholonet makes for a strikingly shaded walk, where time seems to stand still. The Roman aqueduct and its waterfalls add a touch of history to this unspoilt countryside.
A few kilometres away, the Zola and Bimont lakes are the ideal starting point for a hike up to the Croix de Provence. Well-marked and varied, the trails allow walkers of every level to explore this emblematic massif.
Here, life follows the rhythm of the Provençal seasons — orchards in blossom in spring, lavender and cicadas in summer, golden grape harvests in autumn. Le Tholonet is an invitation to slow down and let the quiet beauty of Provence envelop you.
Mont Sainte-Victoire
Hikes and exceptional panoramas
Cézanne heritage
In the footsteps of the Impressionist master
AOC vineyards
Estates and tastings close by
Discover
TO SEE
Le Château du Tholonet
Alexandre de Gallifet, a member of the Aix parliament, acquired the estate in 1637 and had the château built. A monumental avenue of plane trees leads up to it, extended by a shaded boules pitch.
Cézanne made it one of his motifs. Since 1959, the building has housed the headquarters of the Société du Canal de Provence — an echo of the village’s long history with water. The park and its avenue remain a favourite walk for the people of Aix.
Le Barrage Zola
Tucked into the Infernets valley, the dam bears the name of François Zola, engineer and father of the writer Émile Zola. Completed in 1854, it is considered the world’s first arch dam. It holds back the water in a setting of pine forest and pale rock. It is reached on foot, along a shaded path that extends the very spirit of the village: harnessing water, taming stone. The site combines technical prowess with mineral calm, far from the bustle.
Experience
TO DO
Hiking on Mont Sainte-Victoire
Le Tholonet is one of the main gateways to the massif. Several trails set off from the village, from the gentlest to the most demanding. The path climbs through pines, garrigue and limestone, up to the white ridges overlooking the valley. The views open wide across the countryside and, on a clear day, far into the distance. Early in the morning or towards the end of the day, the light is at its most beautiful.
Following the Route Cézanne
The D17 links Aix to Le Tholonet over a few shaded kilometres. In 1959, André Malraux had it listed — it is said to be the only listed road in France. It follows in the footsteps of the painter, who took this road to reach his motifs. Plane trees, olive groves, glimpses of Mont Sainte-Victoire: the landscape unfolds like a canvas. Best enjoyed on foot, by bicycle, or at a leisurely pace by car.
Le Relais Cézanne
In the heart of the village, along the Route Cézanne, Le Relais Cézanne has long been a fixture at the foot of Mont Sainte-Victoire. The restaurant serves seasonal cooking on a shaded terrace and in a bright veranda, sheltered whatever the season. Just below, La Paillote borders the pétanque pitch: people come for a glass of rosé, a sharing board or a few tapas, without ceremony. In summer, guests linger beneath the trees, boule in hand, as the day draws to a close. It is Le Tholonet’s gourmet stop, in the shade of the plane trees and the mountain.